so covid is raging...

哈囉～ hello. before we get into it, let's catch up on some fun things!

two weekends ago, i went to taipei 101 area with two classmates after standing in line for covid tests so we could search for clothes more suited for the hot summers here. we weren't totally successful with that but it was still fun. i love all the lights outside at night and the food over there is so amazing!

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/f148f6_9a3db5814ced4f34b043c05e2405cc0b/480p/mp4/file.mp4

the following morning, we tried a very aesthetic brunch place right by campus and then i studied the rest of the day.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/f148f6_e5b15bae0c4f45d9bd8dcb1fde45fa11/720p/mp4/file.mp4

just this last saturday, i rode to the end of the red line up north with some classmates for sunset and to explore 淡水 (tamsui) fisherman's wharf, lover's bridge and other waterside attractions. the MRT was surprisingly empty so here's some pictures if you ever wondered what the MRT cars look like!

on the way, we took a little detour inland via the 淡海輕軌 (danhai light rail) and bus to check out a temple called 天元宮 (tian yuan temple). sadly, we missed the cherry blossom season, but it was beautiful all the same. also, on the way, we missed a bus because i was not aware that you have to wave the bus down even though you are at a stop. it must be because we're a bit out of the main city at that point, but logic says buses stop at the bus stops. 😂 another interesting thing is that on the light rail line, in the cars and on the platforms, there were statues of animals and characters. we even saw some in town.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/f148f6_3ed9c8db45eb4177a3b86cd2c95cdefa/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/f148f6_234d443538c4499a9b53e86a808108e2/720p/mp4/file.mp4

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/f148f6_8f9ff4e3276b486c871c01685ef87195/720p/mp4/file.mp4

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/f148f6_53b8c86dfdbf401796ba056320df5c9c/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

now as for the covid situation, it is really bad. yes, the numbers are comparatively small to america's but taiwan is much smaller and the fact that they haven't shut down like they did last summer for a couple hundred cases definitely demonstrates the government's new tactic to try to coexist with the virus. to my knowledge, two members of my 12 person cohort currently have covid and i think including them, four in total from the whole program so far. once people test positive, they move to an off campus dorm next to the nearby MRT station. so yeah...classes are still online and i'm getting bored. technically, i could still be going out, but it just isn't smart.

for anyone wondering: my most recent covid test was negative

*notes*

the weather is becoming more strange with it being fairly warm while also dumping buckets. the rain pounding on the roof does remind me of the pnw though so i don't mind too much.

i had my first pizza here recently, hawaiian, and imagine my surprise when i found shrimp on it 🦐

hope you all are doing well and staying safe~

♡蘇晨